Chapter 26 A Break

Miya's point of view

Our group drove for a couple of hours after we left the campsite. Aside from the occasional ruckus caused by Miss Hela and Loki, none of us talked to each other since there was still an awkward atmosphere.

I soon realized the cause of the negative feeling in the air; it was Amber.

I realized that she hadn't spoken a word last night. I could guess the reason for that.

I decided to just leave her alone, and bear with the awkwardness. I decided to distract myself and began looking around the places we passed.

The air in the area is still as dry as ever. The surrounding ground, which used to be only a mixture of sand and dirt, is now accompanied by the occasional shrubbery. The plants all look to have thorns coming out of their stems and branches. I could imagine the pain without even touching it.

My gaze then wandered towards the horizon. A bright morning sun greeted me with a gentle warmth. Aside from the sun, a dust storm was forming on the horizon. It wasn't as big as the one caused by the beast that Chrys and the others took down, but it is still quite big.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at who it was and found Miss Lilly looking at me.

"Don't worry, those are just desert runners." They are D-tier at most, so they are considerably weaker than the ones you fought. " She said

"Oh, okay." I nodded and turned back towards the inside of the truck.

My eyes soon focused on Hela. She had the look of a child who had just found a new toy. I followed her gaze, which led me back towards the sandstorm.

Miss Lilly also noticed her behavior and said "Hela, no. We already have enough food to last us the entire trip back home. Besides, Sister Morgan is probably waiting for us.

Hela's expression didn't change, and she continued looking towards the sandstorm. Loki, who was sleeping beside her, woke up and had the same reaction as her.

"Hela, no. We are not stopping. " "Miss Lilly said with a stern voice."

Suddenly, an unexpected voice spoke up. "Sorry to interrupt but... I could use a break from this bumpy ride." The owner of the voice was Amber. She asked in a very polite manner, but her voice is a bit hoarse and dry.

Miss Lilly looked at her with surprise; even Rose looked surprised due to her unexpected action.

"Oh yeah, I still haven't had my weekly check up." "Are you okay enough to do it?" Rose asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." Thanks for asking. " Amber replied.

Well, I guess it's fine to take a break. Hey, V! "Let Goldie know we are taking a break! " "Miss Lilly!" she shouted towards the front of the vehicle.

V's hand poked out of the window and gestured with an up and down motion. Chrys' truck began to slow down, as well as our own. The two trucks were parked on the side of the dirt road.

The moment our truck stopped moving, Hela jumped out with Loki in tow. They both began charging towards the beasts in the distance.

"Why did we need to stop? We are only about an hour or so from arriving, "V asked as he passed by our side.

"Hela won't stop looking at the beasts." If we didn't stop, I'm pretty sure she would have jumped off. "

"And also because Amber said she needed a break." Miss Lilly continued.

"Huh? Well, since you guys are taking a break, so will I. Wake me up when we are leaving." V said before going back in the driver's seat, presumably going back to sleep.

Miss Lilly then turned her gaze towards us. "Hmm, well. Are guys not getting out? We are taking a break, so go out there and stretch your legs. "

I nodded, and we all got out.

Since I didn't have anything particular to do, I just did what Miss Lilly told me to do and began stretching my legs.

Meanwhile, Rose grabbed Amber and led her over to a piece of rock. which Rose sat upon as she took her jacket off, revealing that black metal thing on her back.

The metal thing on her back pokes out of a hole on her shirt. Does all of her clothes have holes on the back to make way for them, I wonder? It sounds like too much work for me.

Amber knelt behind her and seemed to be looking for something. Seeing her actions, Miss Lilly asked. "Is there something you're looking for, Amber?"

"Huh? Yeah, I don't think I carried my toolbox with me. "Do any of you have a toolbox on hand, by chance?" Amber asked, her voice still hoarse.

"Uh, I don't think we do, but maybe Goldie has one, since he often messes with the technical stuff."

"Hey, Goldie! "Come over for a sec." "Miss Lilly" called out.

I have a name... What is it? " Chrys said as he walked towards us.

"Amber needs some tools. Maybe you have yours. Since you know, You're the one who fixes stuff. " Miss Lilly replied.

"When have you seen me use tools?" What do you need to do, Amber? " "Chrys he said as he turned his attention away.

I need a cross screwdriver to open the back of the FP-7. The rest of the check-up could be done by hand. " Amber replied.

"Mmm, well, let me have at it." Chrys said, moving closer to them.

He walked over to them, and placed his hand on the FP-7 on Rose's back. I guess that's what it is called. The screws suddenly unscrewed themselves and fell to the ground.

"That should do it." Call me if you need help putting it back on. " Chrys waved as he walked away.

"Huh?" Rose had a sudden look of confusion.

"Stop moving." Amber said as she landed a chop on Rose's head. Rose sat down properly, and Amber then removed the metal sheet on her back.

I couldn't help myself from being curious, so I decided to take a peek at what was going on. The inside of the FP-7 was an assortment of tubes, metal boxes, and a small pinkish orb.

"You can watch as long as you don't interrupt." Rose said to me

I gave her a little bow and moved closer to get a better look. I stood behind Amber, but still far enough to give her enough room to move.

Now that I look closer, the tubes seem to be closer to wires than tubes. The wires look like small needles puncturing Roses' back; it looks painful.

The other end of the wires leads to the metal boxes. The boxes themselves surround the pink orb.

I have no idea what I'm looking at, but I can't help but be amazed.

My respect for Amber rose from being able to understand what's happening in there. She carefully checks the wires and maneuvers around them.

Suddenly, Rose's hair got blown by the wind, which led to it touching one of the wires.

"Ouch!" Rose flinched.

"Rose, your hair." "Amber said."

"Yup, sorry." Rose apologized as she grabbed her hair and lifted it up overhead.

All the while, Miss Lilly was watching us with a smile on her face. Somehow, it felt a little lonely.

After a while, Amber stood up and took a step back.

"should be good, though the battery seems more charged than ever. Did you charge it before we left? " Amber asked.

"No, I don't think so." Rose replied.

Well, never mind. I could guess what happened. Ah, Lady Lilly, can you uh-" Amber began to speak.

"Oh, no problem. "Hey, Goldie, we are done over here! Miss Lilly interrupted.

"And also, calling me Lady is a bit... much." Miss Lilly said, smiling awkwardly at us.

"Ah, yes. "Miss"

"No, miss either!" Miss Lilly interrupted Amber again.

"Y-Yes, Lilly." Amber replied, feeling very awkward.

"Aww, Amber!" Miss Lilly suddenly opened her arms towards Amber. Amber instinctively jumped back and hid behind Rose and I.

Then, a hand landed on Mis-Lilly's head, before she could take a step forward. The hand then proceeded to lift her up by the head.

"I think it's still a bit too early for that." Chrys said, as he held Lilly up in the air. And, of course, the hand belonged to him.

"Hmph, I guess you're correct this time." Lilly said as she crossed her arms, while still suspended in the air.

Chrys slowly let her down, and walked over to us. He grabbed the screws on the ground and the metal sheet, and placed them back on Rose's back.

"Alright, should be good. You girls get on the truck. We are leaving. " He said.

"Yes, sir." Rose saluted before grabbing both me and Amber and running towards the truck.

As we were being dragged away, I heard a conversation between Lilly and Chrys.

"Are you sure we already need to leave?" She still needs time to... correct herself. " Lilly asked.

"Well, all she is doing is averting her mind from the problem." If she wants to solve it, she needs to fight it head on. Chrys responded.

"Hmm, well. I'd better go back as well. Don't forget to call Hela and Loki back. "

With that, Lilly started going back to the truck as well.

I sat down in my seat and let my eyes wander. My eyes led me towards the open area.

There, I see Hela and Loki chasing a wingless bird with a long neck and a pair of insanely beefy legs. They don't seem like they are intending to kill it since they are just running beside it.

Now that I think about it, isn't Loki bigger than it was before?

Loki, the small lizard creature, is now a two-meter long lizard. I couldn't help but feel intimidated at that sight. As I was deep in thought, mi-- Lilly banged on the wall that separated the front of the truck from the back.

"Hey, Bush head! Get up, we are leaving! " She yelled.

"Uh... I'm up. "Barely even yawned. " "Mister V," he said in an irritated tone.

"Hmph!" Lilly then sat down beside me.

I think she was about to say something to me but was interrupted by a yell. "Loki! Hela! Play time's over! "

I turned to look for the source, and my gaze landed on Chrys.

A couple of moments later, a two-meter tall Loki arrived in front of him. It had the clearly still alive bird in it's mouth and Hela on its back. She had a blissful smile on her face, looking like she had just had the time of her life.

"Are you going to eat that?" Chrys asked as he looked at the bird in Loki's mouth.

In response, Loki shook its head left and right. The bird looks completely terrified at its current situation.

"Then, let it go." Chrys said.

Loki then shook its head left and right again, with Hela still on its back.

"Loki, I'm not going to ask again." "Chrys he said as he stared down the massive Loki.

Loki shook its head again, but was quickly ended by Chrys. Chrys slammed his foot on Loki's lower jaw without hesitation.

He then grabbed its upper jaw with his hands and pulled upwards. Loki didn't go down without a fight, and tried to keep its mouth closed with the bird still inside.

"Loki..." Chrys called out.

"If you don't open your mouth, I will."

Suddenly, Loki opened its jaws wide open. which the bird quickly took advantage of, and ran away as fast as it could.

"Hmph, do you seriously need to make me go that far in order for you to listen to me?" Chrys asked. Loki didn't seem to respond.

"Get in. Now." Chrys continued.

Loki reluctantly nodded and headed towards our truck. I made a bit of room since I don't think Loki will fit in the truck.

Loki then shook its body gently. Hela seemed to get the message, and got off its back. She stood beside Loki as its body began to emit heat.

Loki's body continued to emit heat until it shrank back to its original size. A lot of small purplish-black crystals formed around the place where it stood.

Hela then picked Loki up before getting in. She sat beside me as the truck began to rumble.

A couple of seconds later, the truck began to move and our journey began again.